St Matthew's Church, Little Lever

St Matthew's Church is a Gothic Revival building in Little Lever constructed with coursed rubble stone walls, ashlar dressings, and slate roofing throughout. A distinctive tower topped with corner pinnacles rises at the southeast corner, creating its most recognizable feature.

The church was built in 1865 by architect Edward Graham Paley, replacing an older building from 1791 that once stood across the street. This construction marked a shift toward modern Victorian architecture that better served the growing community's needs.

The interior displays stone panels inscribed with the Ten Commandments and the Creed, while decorative Minton tiles cover the chancel floor. These details reflect the Victorian craftsmanship that defines the period when the building was created.

The building remains in active use as an Anglican parish church and is part of the deanery and archdeaconry structure of Bolton within the Manchester diocese. Visitors should remember this is a functioning place of worship where respectful behavior is expected.

The churchyard contains grave sites of soldiers who died in both world wars, including five from the first conflict and four from the second. These quiet resting places serve as local reminders of the lives lost during those periods.

Location: Bolton

Inception: 1865

Architects: Edward Graham Paley

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: http://saintmatthews.org.uk/welcome

GPS coordinates: 53.56280,-2.37350

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:24